Blackberry Smoke – Little Piece of Dixie (2009)

On one lovely 4th of July in 2007, my husband’s band, Snowblynd, was playing a show at a local bar. Some band from Atlanta that no one had ever heard of was headlining and none of us really cared. When the band showed up, a bunch of long-haired, bearded dudes in good jeans rolled out of the van. My first thought? Wow…these guys look interesting. Then they started rolling all of their gear out of the trailer. My husband’s first thought? Wow…they have good gear; there’s a possibility they could be decent at least. After Snowblynd played, we went outside to hang out. Then all a sudden we heard the headlining band start playing and we stopped what we were doing. We all looked at each other and just hauled ass back inside the bar to see what the hell was going on. The headlining band was blowing our minds and it was Blackberry Smoke. It’s not very often that a band comes out of nowhere and knocks me flat on my ass, but Blackberry Smoke did exactly that and I’ve been hooked ever since. With their sophomore release, Little Piece of Dixie, the Blackberry Smoke boys are out to knock you on your ass too.

Little Piece of Dixie is 11 songs of solid and real southern rock. There’s something very authentic about these guys; they’re not putting on their costumes to pretend to be something they’re not. They are all incredibly talented and serious musicians from the south who have worked their asses off to get to where they are today, and they deserve every ounce of success that is headed their way.

Their chemistry is undeniable. Charlie’s vocals have a unique vintage quality that really stands out, and his guitar is playing is stellar. Paul Jackson’s guitar playing and harmonies are the perfect complement to Charlie. Brit Turner’s drums are always steady and in the pocket all while making it look completely effortless. Richard Turner may be the quiet one in the band, but his bass playing speaks way louder than words. And the recent addition of Brandon Still on the keyboards is the perfect finishing touch to round out their sound. I’m convinced that their long hair, beards and sideburns have super powers that make them sound so incredible.

The album starts off with the first single, “Good One Coming On”, which is about “drinking tequila and skinny dippin'” Charlie would say as he introduces the song at their live shows. It’s a good summertime, have fun with your friends kind of song and was featured in the Kevin Costner movie, Swing Vote. “Good One Coming On” is also the band’s first full length video.

If you’re into video games or Nascar, you may have heard “Up in Smoke” on the Nascar ’08 video game. And if you like things with engines that go fast, then you probably watch the Speed channel and may have heard “Up in Smoke” on an episode of Drag Race High. From the moment you hear Richard’s bass intro, you’ll want to hop in your car and tear down the road like the cops are chasing you. The song just has that get up and go kind of feel.

Just because these guys have a bit of that country twang to them, doesn’t mean they can’t, or don’t, enjoy some of the staples of the rock and roll life. Since they’ve already covered liquor, they had to write a song about…what else but strippers! “Shake Your Magnolia” is probably one of my favorite songs on the album. It’s a sweet little diddy about a guy falling for a stripper, and it does make you want to get up and shake it a little bit for the boys.

These days, it’s extremely rare to find such talented musicians making such amazing music. If you want to hear some really kick ass, genuine southern rock that doesn’t sound like any of that crap you hear on the radio, then pick up Little Piece of Dixie. There’s not a bad song on it. From start to finish, it’s strong and impressive. If you like southern rock, then you’ll love this album. If you don’t like southern rock, then this album will make you change your mind.

Rating: Out of 10

Track Listing:

1. Good One Comin’ On
2. Like I Am
3. Bottom Of This
4. Up In Smoke
5. Sanctified Woman
6. Who Invented The Wheel
7. I’d Be Lyin?
8. Prayer For The Little Man
9. Restless
10. Shake Your Magnolia
11. Freedom Song

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Comments

Yes! a great band taking southern rock to a new level. These songs are classics; of course they aren’t reinventing the wheel but the songs sound fresh and familiar from the first listen. Call your local radio station and request them!!

GREAT review. These guys are awesome LIVE. It’s hard to capture lightning in a bottle or in this case a CD but seeing them LIVE you’ll be a fan after the first song. I suggest you get a copy of their first CD called ‘Bad Luck Ain’t No Crime’. It will blow your mind. Heavy southern rocking songs on that one. These boys are in it to win it…and the Train’s Rollin’…

Thanks Christine. I do intend to check them out live the next time they make it to San Diego. As for Skynyrd’s (Or the people who call themselves Skynyrd now) assessment of Blackberry Smoke, that’s perfectly lovely, but if I don’t much care for blackberry Smoke’s album, knowing that Skynyrd likes it isn’t going to make me like it any more or less. It’s all good, plenty of people here like the record, I don’t happen to be one of them. I love the new Little Caesar record, you may not end up liking it. the important thing is that we all find stuff that we enjoy, even if we don’t necessarily always agree on what that is.

Bob, this is DEFINITELY a band you have to see live. Although I think the album is great, it still doesn’t do them justice. They are kick ass live. Check them out if they ever come your way. The boys have had opening slots with Lynyrd Skynyrd receently and have been on the Skynyrd cruise for the past 4 years. If Lynyrd Skynyrd says they’re southern rock and thinks they kick ass…then they must! ;)

I BELIEVE THE BAND THAT HEADLINED WAS ON THE HUNT,A SKYNYRD TRIBUTE FROM COLUMBUS OHIO.HINDSIGHT BEING 20/20 I WISH I WOULD HAVE PUT THEM ON THE HEADLINE BILL BECAUSE WE HAD NO BUSINESS PLAYING AFTER MY BUDDIES FROM THE ATL.THEY ARE LIKE…….ELECTRIC DYNOMITE!!!! I WANT Y’ALL TO KNOW I AM OVERLY SERIOUS ABOUT MY SOUTHERN ROCK AND EVEN THOUGH THESE GUYS ARE MY GOOD FRIENDS,I BOW DOWN TO THEM BIGTIME.I KNEW THE FIRST TIME I SAW THEM THEY WERE BRINGING SOUTHERN ROCK TO A NEW LEVEL.ANYONE WHO THINKS THEY ARE JUST OK,CAN KISS MY REDNECK ASS! OBVIOUSLY YOU NEVER MET THEM OR SAW THEM LIVE!I HAVE TO AT LEAST KEEP BRAGGING RIGHTS THAT THEY ONCE OPENED FOR ME JUST FOR SELF AFFERMATION….LOL.I GUARANTEE THAT WILL NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN. CHARLIE,PAUL,BRIT,RICHARD ALL THE RESPECT IN THE WORLD BROTHERS.JASON STILL NEED TO SIZE YOU UP……..I KID, I KID!!!! PEACE Y,ALL……..I CAN FEEL A BIG BOY…COMING ON….PVZ

Thanks for the tip Susan. I’ll check out their other album. After reading Christine’s review, I figured that maybe they are one of those bands who comes across better live than on record. If they do a show out my way, I’ll check that out too.

to the other commenter, yeah, Little Caesar is back with their first new album in seventeen years called Redemption. It’s definitely a good rocking record, and Ron Young’s voice sounds great!

Bob,
Go see these guys live and then let us know!! You won’t be disappointed! You might enjoy “Bad Luck Aint No Crime” better. Available at their website blackberrysmoke.com They are the Southernest Rockingest band to come along in a LOOONG time!! Great Review, Christine!!

Christine, I am sorry to say this, but I found this album to be some what of a disappointment. I have read lots of hype about this band so was really looking forward to checking them out. Yes, a few of the songs on this album could be considered southern rock, but far more of the tunes just sound like the boring, uninspired twang that is passed off as country music these days.

for a Southern rock record that actually rocks, I recommend Little Caesar’s new comeback release called Redemption. A far better choice in my humble opinion.